Focus areas included sludge and odour management. (Image source: TAQA Water Solutions)

A senior delegation from TAQA Water Solutions has completed a technical tour of Denmark organised by the Water Efficiency Middle East Alliance (WEMA) and supported by the Danish Trade Council, aiming to advance knowledge sharing around sustainable water infrastructure.

Held at a time of heightened focus on water security across the GCC, the visit connected Emirati and Danish water sector leaders to exchange proven strategies for wastewater reuse, energy optimisation, and circular economy practices. The tour aligned with key regional frameworks, including the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, Net Zero 2050, and Saudi Vision 2030.

With Denmark widely recognised as a pioneer in sustainable utilities, TAQA representatives were given access to in-depth case studies and operational insights that hold strong relevance for Middle Eastern utilities working to meet rising demand with lower environmental impact.

Throughout the visit, TAQA executives engaged directly with Danish utilities, technology companies, and research institutions. Roundtable discussions and site visits were hosted by WEMA member companies such as Grundfos, Danfoss, DHI, NIRAS, Aquaterra, AVK, Watopi, and Aarhus Vand.

Focus areas included sludge and odour management, advanced wastewater reuse, energy-efficient pumping systems, stormwater resilience, and smart digital platforms to improve asset performance.

A highlight of the programme was a dedicated knowledge session with BIOFOS, Denmark’s largest wastewater utility, and Aarhus Water Utility, which is at the forefront of customer-centric water services and climate-adaptive infrastructure.

Groundwork for collaboration

The visit identified clear pathways for deeper technical cooperation, including feasibility assessments for Danish technologies in the GCC and potential pilot projects that demonstrate real-world impact.

TAQA Water Solutions outlined key priorities such as enhancing operational energy efficiency, solving infiltration challenges, and managing complex large-scale pumping requirements, areas where Danish innovation can play a significant role.

As WEMA continues to bridge connections between the Gulf and global water leaders, the mission underlined how structured knowledge exchange can unlock scalable solutions for more resilient, efficient, and future-ready water networks in the region.

“This delegation was more than a visit, it was a strategic exchange of ideas, technology, and shared ambition,” said Astrid SC Nielsen, the Danish Trade Council, Dubai. “TAQA Water Solutions’ commitment to innovation, coupled with Denmark’s decades of water expertise, are the seeds for impactful, long-term collaboration.”

“At TAQA Water Solutions, we have experienced firsthand how innovation profoundly drives comprehensive sustainability. It extends far beyond merely securing vital water and energy systems; it is the fundamental cornerstone reinforcing a resilient circular economy. This strategic imperative ensures that every precious drop is meticulously collected, expertly treated, and purposefully reused, thereby setting new benchmarks for responsible resource management and ensuring a water-secure future,” said Eng. Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO of TAQA Water Solutions.

He added, “As part of TAQA Group's commitment to providing energy and water to communities worldwide, TAQA Water Solutions drives sustainable development and secures global water resources through strategic investments and collaborative partnerships in markets of growth. This visit exemplifies this mission, evolving beyond a technical exchange, profoundly deepening our shared commitment to advancing sustainable water solutions globally. We are grateful for the generous knowledge-sharing and the invaluable opportunity to learn from a community that has seamlessly integrated sustainability into its daily life, underscoring our belief that innovation truly thrives through reciprocal collaboration.”​

Also read: How does the UAE support island nations' water security?

The Construction Authority for Potable Water and Wastewater in Egypt.

ACCIONA, along with local firm DHCU, obtained an €35mn (US$38.15mn) contract from Egypt’s Construction Authority for Potable Water and Wastewater (CAPW) so it can operate and maintain Phase II of Cairo's Gabal El Asfar wastewater treatment complex.

The eight-year agreement rehabilitates also upgrades two major plants within the facility so that they can each treat 500,000 m³ per day.

Gabal El Asfar is known to be the largest wastewater treatment complex located in Africa as well as the Middle East. This ranks it third globally, with a total capacity of 2.5 m³ per day.

Home to more than eight million residents, it serves the vital eastern part of Cairo.

ACCIONA’s already established footprint is further reinforced by this latest contract within Egypt’s water sector.

The company led the design, construction, and commissioning in a previous expansion phase at Gabal El Asfar in 2013, adding another 500,000 m³ to its daily capacity.

ACCIONA and DHCU were entrusted not too long ago in 2022 for Phase I's operation and improvement that handles 1.5 m³ of wastewater for each day.

Other developments

Beyond Gabal El Asfar, ACCIONA has partnered together with CAPW on additional projects, and this includes the water infrastructure operations for New Cairo.

The initiative collects water from the Nile River and then transports the water. It then purifies the water and distributes to consumers in the satellite city 30 kilometers east of the capital.

The company constructed five other major drinking water treatment plants throughout Egypt.

The Almerya, Rod el Farag, Mostorod, North Helwan I, and North Helwan II plants serve collectively over six million people because they have a combined capacity that exceeds 600,000m³ per day.

Within ACCIONA’s portfolio is the Bahr Al Baqr wastewater treatment plant. It is actually another key project that is located in northwestern Egypt.

It has 5.6 m³ capacity as one of the world’s largest, designed for high-quality water production for agricultural irrigation.

Additionally, ACCIONA operates several other wastewater facilities in Egypt as these facilities include those located in Abnoub-El Fath, Sodfa-El Ghanayem, El Ayat, and Abu Simbel.

Sustainable infrastructure and renewable solutions are led by ACCIONA globally.

They have been keeping to carbon neutrality since back in 2016.

Operations are maintained in more than 40 countries, also the company reported €19.19bn (US$21bn) in sales for 2024.

Also check out:

MENA platform aims to enhance clean water accessibility

Water diplomacy: how UAE supports island nations' water security

Saudi Arabia's NWC takes on multiple wastewater projects

Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid founded Kumulus in 2021. (Image source: Kumulus)

The watertech company Kumulus Water, which turns air into potable water, has raised US$3.5mn in seed money.

Bpifrance led the seed funding through France 2030 SGPI and the Île-de-France Region, with participation from other international regional and investors, including Plus VC, MENA's most active VC, Khalys Venture, Flat6Labs, Europe's leading bottled water group Spadel, and several family offices and founders from Europe and North Africa.

Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid founded Kumulus in 2021. The company creates and produces atmospheric water generators, which use air humidity to produce safe drinking water without having any pre-existing electrical or water infrastructure.

Across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, the company's technologies are currently in use in hotels, schools, and remote settlements.

With this financing, Kumulus will debut the Kumulus Boks, a new range of industrial-grade, cutting-edge Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG) that supply pure drinking water straight from air humidity, as well as expand operations in Tunisia, France, and Spain, and prepare for market entry into Saudi Arabia.

Producing water locally

“We’re deeply grateful to our existing and new investors for their trust and continued support,” said Iheb Triki, CEO and co-founder of Kumulus Water. “Their involvement is a strong vote of confidence in our technology and our vision. At Kumulus, we believe access to clean drinking water should not depend on existing infrastructure. With this funding, we’re taking a major step toward making clean water accessible, sustainable, and decentralised—especially for the communities that need it most.”

“This funding allows us to scale not just production, but impact,” said Mohamed Ali Abid, co-founder and CTO of Kumulus Water. “We have spent the past few years refining a technology that can operate reliably in some of the harshest and most water-stressed environments. Now, we are ready to deploy it at scale and bring truly off-grid, sustainable water access to more communities across the region and beyond.”

Hasan Haider, founder and managing partner at +VC, said, “Kumulus is building a scalable, climate-resilient solution to one of the most critical regional and global challenges-access to clean drinking water. At +VC, we invest in founders who are not only mission-driven, solving real-world problems but also executing with commercially scalable solutions. Kumulus fits that profile and is well-positioned for both regional and global growth. We’re excited to support their journey as they scale meaningful impact, making them stand out in the climate-tech space.”

“We believe the world needs complementary solutions to address the growing challenge of drinking water scarcity,” added Clément Yvorra, global business development manager at Spadel. “What convinced us is Kumulus’ ability to produce water locally, without packaging or transportation, offering a truly sustainable alternative.”

Sri Lanka's water management challenges have drawn international attention. (Image source: Alain Charles Publishing)

In an era of increasing water scarcity and climate uncertainty, the UAE has emerged as a critical partner for island nations struggling with water security challenges. 

A recent panel during the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi highlighted the UAE's role in supporting Cyprus and Sri Lanka through technological assistance.

Cyprus, facing its most severe drought in three decades, received immediate and tangible support from the UAE. 

Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, emphasised this, stating, "Two days ago, Cyprus received desalination units of 15,000 cubic meters production of water per day. We have asked for help from the UAE, and the UAE responded positively. [It] responded immediately."

This gesture is more than a simple aid package; it represents a sophisticated approach to transboundary water cooperation. 

Panayiotou described it as "a tremendous help for Cyprus" that faces prolonged drought and severe water scarcity. 

The desalination units are part of Cyprus's broader strategy to achieve 100% water coverage by the end of the year, with a focus on using renewable energy and solar systems to reduce production costs.

Global South countries collaborate with each other

Similarly, Sri Lanka's water management challenges have drawn international attention. 

While the country boasts over 100 rivers and significant rainfall, political and infrastructural issues have complicated water distribution. 

The UAE's collaborative approach extends beyond immediate relief, supporting comprehensive water management strategies.

Both Cyprus and Sri Lanka view the UAE's support through a lens of regional cooperation and geopolitical partnership. 

As Panayiotou put it, "We act locally, but you have to think globally and cooperate regionally. This is important. We cannot do it by ourselves."

The support goes beyond mere technological transfer. It represents a model of diplomatic engagement where resource-rich nations assist countries facing environmental challenges. 

Anil Jayantha from Sri Lanka emphasised the importance of collaborative approaches, noting that solutions require working "together with all other ministries and international agencies."

As climate change continues to challenge traditional water management approaches, the UAE's support for Cyprus and Sri Lanka offers a blueprint for international cooperation.

It underscores the potential of strategic partnerships in addressing one of the most critical challenges of the 21^st century: ensuring water security for vulnerable nations.